Significant Figure (Noun)
Meaning
Any digit of a number that is known with certainty; any digit of a number beginning with the leftmost non-zero digit and ending with the rightmost non-zero digit (or a zero considered to be the exact value); "he calculated the answer to four significant figures".
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Examples
- The laboratory results indicated that the new compound's boiling point was 255.41 degrees Celsius, accurate to four significant figures.
- In scientific notation, the coefficient is typically rounded to the correct number of significant figures.
- He was asked to calculate the final answer to three significant figures to ensure precision in the experiment.
- When using electronic calculators, round intermediate steps to the correct number of significant figures to maintain accuracy.
- Her math teacher instructed her to express the answer to five significant figures to get full credit for the assignment.